Ohio State
29-17, 0
Illinois
19-28, 0
Buckeyes Rally for 13-5 Series-Clinching Win over Illinois
4/27/2024 5:27:00 PM | Softball
Ohio State scores 12 runs in the fourth and fifth innings for a walk-off run-rule win
COLUMBUS, Ohio – It took a couple innings, but the Ohio State offense erupted for 12 runs over the final two innings of a 13-5 series-clinching win over Illinois on Saturday in front of a sellout crowd at Buckeye Field.
The win, which was Ohio State's ninth in a row, improved the Buckeyes' record to 29-17 overall and 10-9 in the Big Ten. Illinois falls to 19-28 (5-13 Big Ten).
The Short Story
Illinois hit two home runs in the top of the first inning to jump out to an early 5-0 lead, but Lexi Paulsen came into the game in relief and did not allow a hit over 4.2 innings while Ohio State's offense went into overdrive in the fourth inning, scoring nine times to take the lead for good.
Kami Korokrax, Destinee Noury, McKenzie Bump and Jasmyn Burns all hit home runs during the rally, and Burns' two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning ended the game. The freshman finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBI while Kortokrax was 2-for-4 with a home run, double and three RBI. Bump also drove in three runs on the afternoon thanks to a three-run home run in the fourth inning.
Paulsen's stat line included 4.2 innings of work with three strikeouts and just two walks. She retired Illinois in order in the second and fourth innings.
How The Runs Were Scored
- Illinois' two home runs in the top of the first inning came from Paige Berkmeyer – a two-run shot – and a three-run homer by Abby Ryniec. After the Ryniec homer, Paulsen entered the game and got the final two outs of the inning.
- Noury put the first run on the board for Ohio State in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run, but the offense really found its footing in the fourth inning as the Buckeyes scored nine runs on six hits and was aided by one Illinois error.
- It started with a Burns home run down the left field line and continue with run scoring hits by Kaitlyn Farley (RBI double), Kortokrax (three-run home run), Bump (two-run home run) and Noury (two-run single).
- In the bottom of the fifth inning, Bump picked up her third RBI of the afternoon on an infield single and Burns drove in Hackenbracht and Kortokrax to end the game.
- In all, Ohio State scored 12 runs in the final two innings, hit three home runs and collected six extra base hits.
Buckeye This and That
- A sellout crowd of 1,630 was on hand at Buckeye Field on Saturday. It was the second sellout of the season and the third time that a crowd of over 1,000 has filled the stands. For the season, Ohio State is averaging just under 900 fans per game.
- During the Buckeyes' current nine-game winning streak, Bump, Kortokrax and Burns are all batting over .400. Kortokrax has three home runs, six double and eight RBI in the stretch.
- Against Big Ten teams, Kortokrax is hitting .410 and has 17 RBI in 19 conference games.
- The Buckeyes improved to 11-2 at home this season and have won 10 consecutive games in front of the home fans.
- Ohio State reached double digits in runs for the fourth time this season in Big Ten play. The other three games were vs. Rutgers (11), Minnesota (11) and Penn State (16).
The Statistical Stars
Kami Kortokrax: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI
McKenzie Bump: 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Jasmyn Burns: 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
Destinee Noury: 2-for-2, HR, 3 RBI
Lexi Paulsen: 4.2 IP, 0 hits allowed, 3 Ks, 2 BB
What's Next
Ohio State closes out the series and the home schedule tomorrow when they face Illinois at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on BTN. For those who can not attend, live stats will also be available on the schedule page at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
Prior to the game, nine seniors and their families will be honored: Hannah Bryan, McKenzie Bump, Tegan Cortelletti, Destinee Noury, Sam Hackenbracht, Kirsten Eppele, Taylor Heckman, Emily Ruck and Allison Smith.
Single game tickets are available with prices ranging from $4-$8 before fees. Seating at Buckeye Field is general admission. A limited number of student tickets will be available for free at each game with a BuckID on a first come, first served basis. Children under two years old and younger will be admitted free but must sit on an adult's lap.
Tickets can be purchased HERE and the full schedule is available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Paulsen, Lexi (2-1)
L: McQueen, Tori (11-14)
Batting:
2B: Ryono, Kelly 1
HR: Berkmeyer, Paige 1 ; Ryniec, Abby 1
RBI: Berkmeyer, Paige 2 ; Ryniec, Abby 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Ryono, Kelly 1 ; Berkmeyer, Paige 1 ; Ward, Megan 1 ; Caryl, Adisyn 1 ; Ryniec, Abby 1
CS: Ryono, Kelly 1
Batting:
2B: Kortokrax, Kami 1 ; Farley, Kaitlyn 1
HR: Kortokrax, Kami 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 1 ; Burns, Jasmyn 1 ; Noury, Destinee 1
RBI: Kortokrax, Kami 3 ; Bump, McKenzie 3 ; Burns, Jasmyn 3 ; Noury, Destinee 3 ; Farley, Kaitlyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cortelletti, Tegan 1 ; Heckman, Taylor 1 ; Kortokrax, Kami 2 ; Hackenbracht, Sam 2 ; Bump, McKenzie 1 ; Burns, Jasmyn 1 ; Ruffer, Cadyn 1 ; Eppele, Kirsten 2 ; Noury, Destinee 1 ; Farley, Kaitlyn 1
HBP: Noury, Destinee 1
